Background: Information Provision Environment (IPE)
The Global Environment
Beuford Franklin Edison High School (BFE High) is located in the rural town of Mayo, which serves as the county seat for northern Florida's Lafayette County. One of the state's smallest counties, only 548 square miles, BFE High is it's only high school. The population is 7,482 people, with 2,242 households and 1,791 families residing in the county. It's population growth rate of 14.1% is average when compared to the 14.7% growth rate of Florida over the same time period. Lafayette citizens' average education rate is low compared to the rest of Florida with only 68.2% of their population attaining high school degrees vs. the 79.9% state average. Additionally, only 7.2% of Lafayette's citizens compared to the 22.3% state average have bachelor's degrees.
Lafayette's racial demographic is 79.27% White, 14.37% Black, 0.71% Native American, 4.13% Asian/ Pacific Islander, and 9.14% Hispanic. Of the county's 2,242 households, 34.00% include children under the age of 18. The median household income is $30,651, placing bout 12.90% of families and 17.50% of the population below the national poverty line; including 23.70% of those under age 18. County employers primarily include agriculturally-based businesses, the Mayo Correctional Facility, county government, and the local school district.
Lafayette school district has one elementary and one high school, which are governed by a 5 members school board. BFE High was established in 1984. It serves approximately 520 students from 6th through 12th grade, or ages 11 to 19. BFE High received a “B” in the state school grading program, which is calculated by adding points earned from student's standardized test performance in reading, math, writing, and science. BFE High staff consists of 45 certified teachers and 34 support personnel. The racial make up of the student population at BFE High School is 75.4% White, 11.9% Black, 0.2% Native-American, 0.2% Asian/Pacific Islander, and 11/3% Hispanic. Of the 520 students, 52.5% are identified as economically disadvantaged, 14.1% have disabilities, and 3.8% are English Language Learners (ELL).
BFE High participates in the federal program Title 1- Part A: Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged. This program is designed to provide supplemental instructional services to students at risk of not achieving proficiency in the state's standards.
Recent community changes mirror the Nation's economic struggles. The county is coping with high unemployment, escalating home foreclosures, and overworked food banks unable to meet community needs. Also, the school district has recently appointed a new superintendent. She is pushing for changes, including better communication between the school board, district, and schools; as well as a new management style that includes monthly input from all levels of the school district.
The Organizational Internal Environment
The Beuford Franklin Edison High School Media Center is an approximately 2,000 square feet and situated in the geographical center of the school. It contains about 4,000 print volumes, student work tables, a quiet reading area, a private meeting room, 5 modern-based Internet accessible computer stations (3 patron and 2 staff), a closed-circuit television station, a faculty resource and work area, and media specialist office. The media center is staffed by a full-time MLIS certified School Library Media Specialist (SLMS) and a paraprofessional. Two community volunteers work about 10 hours per week in the media center. Additionally, student volunteers from the journalism class assist with production of a weekly television school news program.
The media center is a single component at BFE High, and, like the high school, follows Morgan’s Model 2 organization structure. Occasionally, collaboration between the SLMS and assistant occurs; however, the professional librarian primarily makes all final decisions. The SLMS reports to the school principal, who in turn answers to the school board. The SLMS is responsible for collection development, including selection, purchasing, and maintenance of the media center resources and technology; school and community outreach; faculty and staff professional development; fundraising; curriculum development; and special projects. She also serves on the School Leadership Team. In addition to collection development, the media specialist also manages and supervises the paraprofessional and volunteers. She organizes and delegates tasks necessary to complete daily library maintenance, circulation desk operation, and materials' processing, shelving, and repairs; as well as participating in these activities when necessary. Additionally, the media specialist is the technology specialist for the school and responsible for ensuring that all computer hardware and software is working effectively.
Each grade meets in the library on a weekly fixed schedule and as needed by appointment. The regular weekly lessons focus on reading appreciation, comprehension skills, and developing research skills. Class meetings are also scheduled for students to use library resources to complete class projects. Both administration and our librarian are proponents of teacher/librarian collaboration; therefore each class makes use of the additional scheduling opportunities.
The annual budget for the SLMC is as follows:
Books, media, magazine subscriptions $3,000
Materials to support remedial reading plan $1,316
Technology (computers, software, etc.) $1,503
Paper, toner, book processing, repair materials, etc. $750 Total $6,569
The BFE High Media Center collection, including all trade books, text books, CDs, and DVDs, is processed through a Follett Destiny software system. This system, however, is server based and not available to students outside the media center via the Web. There are two checkout stations: one at a circulation desk in the middle of the library and one near the rear library exit. Additional technology items, such as classroom computers, televisions, DVD/VCR players, overhead projectors, and CD/tape players, are cataloged through the media center but placed in classrooms on long term check out.
Internal communication between the librarian and assistant is smooth because both work similar hours and speak daily. Each maintain a weekly “to do” list of tasks which they prioritize and address daily. Another communication resource is the BFE High intranet, where employees can find organizational policies, a high school and media center event calendar, and important announcements. Communication with the principal is carried out through occasional meetings and email. Communication with the school district and school board is carried out through email and planned meetings. Communication between the librarian and assistant functions very well, while communication with the principal, district and board is sometimes untimely. The media specialist and paraprofessional are not always informed of changes occurring in the district that have a direct impact on the SLMC and sometimes district policies that impact school media centers are adopted without the consultation of any media center staff, which creates difficulties for the specialists and paraprofessionals.
The media specialist and the media paraprofessional are members of the Association of Big Bend Media Specialists and attend monthly meetings where they learn state and district policies, emerging technology, and best practice for school library media centers. Further assistance and professional development in technology, especially as it relates to accessing information for students with special needs, is provided through the Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS-Miccosukee) in Tallahassee. Additionally, in-service seminars are mandated regularly.
The media center does not have an official collection policy, but both the SLMS and paraprofessional are committed to providing a welcoming atmosphere and excellent service to increase media center use. This is important because the media center needs to retain and attract as many students as possible in order to support BFE High’s vision statement, which reads, “The vision of the Lafayette County School District is to provide all students with educational opportunities within a safe environment conducive to learning which will enable them to become successful students and positive, productive citizens.”
The User/Information Match Environment
Although the media center staff would like to have a policy that offers equal information freedom to all, the district policy is very restrictive. It states that parents have the right to review all materials in the library, and also the right to refuse their children's access to certain materials. The policy also outlinesthat students may only view BFE approved materials on school computers and all users must have an individual network login username and password for access. The policy also requires that each station have Lightspeed filtering software that analyzes users then either blocks or allows user access to websites based on status, such as grade level. Teachers and staff have greater access than students. In summary, the district's written policy addresses challenged materials and defines students', parents' and teachers' intellectual freedom rights.
The SLMS believes that all students should have fair access to information, while respecting copyright laws. She has published a hand-out to give students who are working on research which outlines basic copyright laws. Since the students are getting their first taste of researching and initial exposure to copyright laws, the hand-out wording is very simple in order to introduce students to the concept of intellectual property rights. It is a bulleted list of points to remember regarding intellectual property rights, such as where, when, and how to create citations.
Although there is no specific BFE High Media Center written policy regarding privacy for students, the staff is aware that all internet use is legally public record. Anything found on school computers can be viewed by the public. Therefore, all staff is warned that all computer use is public record and is only to be used for the benefit of education.
Background: Information Provision Environment (IPE)
The Global Environment
Beuford Franklin Edison High School (BFE High) is located in the rural town of Mayo, which serves as the county seat for northern Florida's Lafayette County. One of the state's smallest counties, only 548 square miles, BFE High is it's only high school. The population is 7,482 people, with 2,242 households and 1,791 families residing in the county. It's population growth rate of 14.1% is average when compared to the 14.7% growth rate of Florida over the same time period. Lafayette citizens' average education rate is low compared to the rest of Florida with only 68.2% of their population attaining high school degrees vs. the 79.9% state average. Additionally, only 7.2% of Lafayette's citizens compared to the 22.3% state average have bachelor's degrees.
Lafayette's racial demographic is 79.27% White, 14.37% Black, 0.71% Native American, 4.13% Asian/ Pacific Islander, and 9.14% Hispanic. Of the county's 2,242 households, 34.00% include children under the age of 18. The median household income is $30,651, placing bout 12.90% of families and 17.50% of the population below the national poverty line; including 23.70% of those under age 18. County employers primarily include agriculturally-based businesses, the Mayo Correctional Facility, county government, and the local school district.
Lafayette school district has one elementary and one high school, which are governed by a 5 members school board. BFE High was established in 1984. It serves approximately 520 students from 6th through 12th grade, or ages 11 to 19. BFE High received a “B” in the state school grading program, which is calculated by adding points earned from student's standardized test performance in reading, math, writing, and science. BFE High staff consists of 45 certified teachers and 34 support personnel. The racial make up of the student population at BFE High School is 75.4% White, 11.9% Black, 0.2% Native-American, 0.2% Asian/Pacific Islander, and 11/3% Hispanic. Of the 520 students, 52.5% are identified as economically disadvantaged, 14.1% have disabilities, and 3.8% are English Language Learners (ELL).
BFE High participates in the federal program Title 1- Part A: Improving the Academic Achievement of the Disadvantaged. This program is designed to provide supplemental instructional services to students at risk of not achieving proficiency in the state's standards.
Recent community changes mirror the Nation's economic struggles. The county is coping with high unemployment, escalating home foreclosures, and overworked food banks unable to meet community needs. Also, the school district has recently appointed a new superintendent. She is pushing for changes, including better communication between the school board, district, and schools; as well as a new management style that includes monthly input from all levels of the school district.
The Organizational Internal Environment
The Beuford Franklin Edison High School Media Center is an approximately 2,000 square feet and situated in the geographical center of the school. It contains about 4,000 print volumes, student work tables, a quiet reading area, a private meeting room, 5 modern-based Internet accessible computer stations (3 patron and 2 staff), a closed-circuit television station, a faculty resource and work area, and media specialist office. The media center is staffed by a full-time MLIS certified School Library Media Specialist (SLMS) and a paraprofessional. Two community volunteers work about 10 hours per week in the media center. Additionally, student volunteers from the journalism class assist with production of a weekly television school news program.The media center is a single component at BFE High, and, like the high school, follows Morgan’s Model 2 organization structure. Occasionally, collaboration between the SLMS and assistant occurs; however, the professional librarian primarily makes all final decisions. The SLMS reports to the school principal, who in turn answers to the school board. The SLMS is responsible for collection development, including selection, purchasing, and maintenance of the media center resources and technology; school and community outreach; faculty and staff professional development; fundraising; curriculum development; and special projects. She also serves on the School Leadership Team. In addition to collection development, the media specialist also manages and supervises the paraprofessional and volunteers. She organizes and delegates tasks necessary to complete daily library maintenance, circulation desk operation, and materials' processing, shelving, and repairs; as well as participating in these activities when necessary. Additionally, the media specialist is the technology specialist for the school and responsible for ensuring that all computer hardware and software is working effectively.
Each grade meets in the library on a weekly fixed schedule and as needed by appointment. The regular weekly lessons focus on reading appreciation, comprehension skills, and developing research skills. Class meetings are also scheduled for students to use library resources to complete class projects. Both administration and our librarian are proponents of teacher/librarian collaboration; therefore each class makes use of the additional scheduling opportunities.
The annual budget for the SLMC is as follows:
Books, media, magazine subscriptions $3,000
Materials to support remedial reading plan $1,316
Technology (computers, software, etc.) $1,503
Paper, toner, book processing, repair materials, etc. $750
Total $6,569
The BFE High Media Center collection, including all trade books, text books, CDs, and DVDs, is processed through a Follett Destiny software system. This system, however, is server based and not available to students outside the media center via the Web. There are two checkout stations: one at a circulation desk in the middle of the library and one near the rear library exit. Additional technology items, such as classroom computers, televisions, DVD/VCR players, overhead projectors, and CD/tape players, are cataloged through the media center but placed in classrooms on long term check out.
Internal communication between the librarian and assistant is smooth because both work similar hours and speak daily. Each maintain a weekly “to do” list of tasks which they prioritize and address daily. Another communication resource is the BFE High intranet, where employees can find organizational policies, a high school and media center event calendar, and important announcements. Communication with the principal is carried out through occasional meetings and email. Communication with the school district and school board is carried out through email and planned meetings. Communication between the librarian and assistant functions very well, while communication with the principal, district and board is sometimes untimely. The media specialist and paraprofessional are not always informed of changes occurring in the district that have a direct impact on the SLMC and sometimes district policies that impact school media centers are adopted without the consultation of any media center staff, which creates difficulties for the specialists and paraprofessionals.
The media specialist and the media paraprofessional are members of the Association of Big Bend Media Specialists and attend monthly meetings where they learn state and district policies, emerging technology, and best practice for school library media centers. Further assistance and professional development in technology, especially as it relates to accessing information for students with special needs, is provided through the Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS-Miccosukee) in Tallahassee. Additionally, in-service seminars are mandated regularly.
The media center does not have an official collection policy, but both the SLMS and paraprofessional are committed to providing a welcoming atmosphere and excellent service to increase media center use. This is important because the media center needs to retain and attract as many students as possible in order to support BFE High’s vision statement, which reads, “The vision of the Lafayette County School District is to provide all students with educational opportunities within a safe environment conducive to learning which will enable them to become successful students and positive, productive citizens.”
The User/Information Match Environment
Although the media center staff would like to have a policy that offers equal information freedom to all, the district policy is very restrictive. It states that parents have the right to review all materials in the library, and also the right to refuse their children's access to certain materials. The policy also outlines that students may only view BFE approved materials on school computers and all users must have an individual network login username and password for access. The policy also requires that each station have Lightspeed filtering software that analyzes users then either blocks or allows user access to websites based on status, such as grade level. Teachers and staff have greater access than students. In summary, the district's written policy addresses challenged materials and defines students', parents' and teachers' intellectual freedom rights.The SLMS believes that all students should have fair access to information, while respecting copyright laws. She has published a hand-out to give students who are working on research which outlines basic copyright laws. Since the students are getting their first taste of researching and initial exposure to copyright laws, the hand-out wording is very simple in order to introduce students to the concept of intellectual property rights. It is a bulleted list of points to remember regarding intellectual property rights, such as where, when, and how to create citations.
Although there is no specific BFE High Media Center written policy regarding privacy for students, the staff is aware that all internet use is legally public record. Anything found on school computers can be viewed by the public. Therefore, all staff is warned that all computer use is public record and is only to be used for the benefit of education.